NEW TIME:

2-4pm (Workshop held on Saturday, January 12)

WHAT:

The City of Minneapolis is updating its long-term vision for growth and development. A working draft of "The Minneapolis Plan for Sustainable Growth" will be presented at a series of open houses in January.

The major update to the City’s comprehensive plan looks ahead to 2030, describing how the city of Minneapolis of the future will look, feel and function. The plan describes how the city can accommodate projected population growth and pursue economic development, while preserving the character of its neighborhoods and enhancing the quality of its natural and built environment. The plan specifically addresses urban design and land use, transportation, housing, economic development, heritage preservation, arts and culture, public services and facilities, parks and open space.

HOW:

Through a series of public meetings, focus groups and online surveys, the public has helped shape the updated plan. The through February 15. There are three ways to submit comments

1. Comments are welcome at five public open houses in January:

North Regional Library, 1315 Lowry Avenue North, January 8, 5:30-7:30pm

Lake Hiawatha Community Center, 2701 E. 44th Street, January 12, 2-4pm

Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center, 4055 Nicollet Avenue South, January 17, 7-9pm

Mill City Museum, 704 S 2nd Street, January 28, 11am- 1pm

Eastside Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd Street NE, January 29, 4-6pm

The working draft plan will be available online at www.minneapolisplan.info. Comments can be submitted to the City directly from the website.

The working draft plan will be available online through February 15 at www.minneapolisplan.info. Comments can be submitted to the City directly from the website.

Hard copies of the working draft will be available at all Minneapolis public libraries through February 15. Comments can be submitted online at the website above, emailed to planupdate@minneapolismn.gov or mailed to:

Haila Maze, Senior City Planner
Minneapolis Department of Community Planning & Economic Development
350 South 5th St., Rm 210, Minneapolis MN 55415

MORE:

The comprehensive plan provides a policy framework for all planning, development and other investment decisions made by the City of Minneapolis. The plan is used to develop and adopt neighborhood, small-area and city-wide plans; review and approve project-specific site plans and land use applications; review and approve public land-acquisition and disposition proposals; plan and prioritize capital improvement and infrastructure projects; and determine priorities for public financing of projects and programs. The updated plan will also include a future land use map.

State law requires the City of Minneapolis to update its plan periodically. The most recent major update to the comprehensive plan was completed in 2000 with various amendments since then. This effort refines that plan and must be completed in 2008 to meet regional planning requirements overseen by the Metropolitan Council.

More information is available online at www.minneapolisplan.info.